Clicker Dog Training Corpus Christi

Positive Dog Training to Grow Communication


Clicker training is an effective type of positive reinforcement dog training. It's very important to time its use correctly and to reward every time. The clicker (or marker) indicates and communicates (marks) the exact moment your dog behaves correctly or has achieved doing what you desired. Like humans, dogs are prone to repeating behaviors and actions that lead to what they want. There are various things different dogs prefer as rewards, but treats are a fairly universally desired thing. When they receive a treat for doing something, it encourages them to do it again in the future. How exactly are clickers useful, you may ask, if you can just give them treats? Also referred to as "mark and reward" training, clickers are a tool used to make positive reinforcement training more efficient and effective. After it has been sufficiently correlated with rewards, your dog is conditioned to view the clicker as affirmation and reinforcement. 


This training method has a lot of data and evidence showing why it works: animals are more likely to repeat rewarded behaviors. Therefore, rather than focusing on and punishing bad behavior and forgetting to appreciate good behavior, you both shift to focusing on what they do right. Your dog will no longer be focused on avoiding bad behaviors to avoid negative reactions, but instead, make the choice to behave well. It also eliminates the vagueness of your pet trying to figure out precisely which behavior you're excited about and rewarding. By using the clicker to mark the exact behavior you're happy about, 

Speak With A Dog

Training Expert

Speak With A Dog Training Expert

Positive Dog Training to Grow Communication


Clicker training is an effective type of positive reinforcement dog training. It's very important to time its use correctly and to reward every time. The clicker (or marker) indicates and communicates (marks) the exact moment your dog behaves correctly or has achieved doing what you desired. Like humans, dogs are prone to repeating behaviors and actions that lead to what they want. There are various things different dogs prefer as rewards, but treats are a fairly universally desired thing. When they receive a treat for doing something, it encourages them to do it again in the future. How exactly are clickers useful, you may ask, if you can just give them treats? Also referred to as "mark and reward" training, clickers are a tool used to make positive reinforcement training more efficient and effective. After it has been sufficiently correlated with rewards, your 

Speak With A Dog

Training Expert

Speak With A Dog Training Expert

dog is conditioned to view the clicker as affirmation and reinforcement. 


This training method has a lot of data and evidence showing why it works: animals are more likely to repeat rewarded behaviors. Therefore, rather than focusing on and punishing bad behavior and forgetting to appreciate good behavior, you both shift to focusing on what they do right. Your dog will no longer be focused on avoiding bad behaviors to avoid negative reactions, but instead, make the choice to behave well. It also eliminates the vagueness of your pet trying to figure out precisely which behavior you're excited about and rewarding. By using the clicker to mark the exact behavior you're happy about, you eliminate any ambiguity and confusion so they can easily repeat the action with no guesswork. This method concentrates on telling your dog what to do instead of what not to do. 

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you eliminate any ambiguity and confusion so they can easily repeat the action with no guesswork. This method concentrates on telling your dog what to do instead of what not to do.

Clicker Dog Obedience Training: Getting Started


If you don't know what a clicker is, it's just a small mechanical device that makes a clicking sound. If you don't have one, you can use an alternative if you'd prefer because there is nothing inherently special about the click itself. It's simply a sound that is only used for this purpose and nothing else. Alternately, you could snap your fingers or use a short, designated word as a marker word. The most important thing is using what you choose consistently, and making sure it communicates quickly and effectively enough which moment you are rewarding. Every click or mark must be rewarded soon after to maintain their association between the two things. 


It's especially useful for training where there is an unavoidable gap between what they do correctly and your ability to reward, such as hoop training. The mark bridges the gap between when they correctly did something, and when you get the treat to them. Many try to use praise in this instance or training in general, but it's less clear and also not specific to training because we give our pets praise all the time- as we should! 


All you need to do is pair your chosen mark with a reward. Do the mark, and then instantly reward! Repeat around 15 times until your dog understands the correlation between the two. Now you're ready to begin training! Although it is a great method for teaching tricks, it can also be used for behavior shaping. If you see the mailman coming and know your dog is about to bark, click before they have the chance. If they are lying down rather than under the table, reward that as well! Baby steps over time will help shape their behavior through effective, positive dog training. The very best part is that this with help improve communication and grow the bond with your pet. Contact Elite-K9 if you'd like any help getting started with your Corpus Christi dog training!